GBR releases revealing statistics about the lack of active children in the UK

Today, research commissioned by Great British Racing for its ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign revealed that more than 80% of UK parents say cost prevents children from participating in outdoor activities, meaning more children are stuck inside. Parents want children to spend more time outdoors during the summer holidays and call for more cost-effective options than those already existing.

What is more concerning is that over half of parents said that they watched more live sport when they were younger compared to their children now, with cost once again being a major contributing factor.

Great British Racing ambassador, and parent of two, Tess Daly commented, “As a parent, the school holidays provide the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, yet finding activities that are stimulating, healthy and affordable can be a challenge. As a child my parents went out of their way to take me to live sport and I do the same for my kids now – there’s nothing better than a day at the races.”

Daly is promoting Great British Racing’s ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign through which accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge to the vast majority of race meetings during the year. There are more than 200 race meetings up and down the country over the school holidays, including more than 50 family days.

The majority of outdoor activities on offer, however, are considered to be too expensive, with live sporting events highlighted as being particularly pricey: 77% of parents have been put off taking their children to live sport because of the cost of the ticket, while 60% of parents surveyed do not take their children to live sport at all.

This certainly seems to be a recent
phenomenon; more than half (51%) of parents said that they watched more live
sport when they were younger compared to their children now, with cost once
again being a major contributing factor.

Great British Racing ambassador, and parent of two, Tess Daly commented, “As a parent, the school holidays provide the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, yet finding activities that are stimulating, healthy and affordable can be a challenge. As a child my parents went out of their way to take me to live sport and I do the same for my kids now – there’s nothing better than a day at the races. As well as the thrill of the racing, the kids are able to run around in the fresh air and there are plenty of activities for them too, from having their faces painted to meeting the race horses.”

Daly is promoting Great British Racing’s ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign through which accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge to the vast majority of race meetings during the year. There are more than 200 race meetings up and down the country over the school holidays, including more than 50 specific family days with additional activities put on for families and young people.

As well as unmissable action on the track, racecourses provide a range of free experiences for under 18s including pony rides, the chance to meet a racehorse and fairground attractions, making it a great and affordable day out for all the family.

Toby Shaw, Director of Communications
& Marketing at Great British Racing, added, “Racing remains one of Britain’s most popular spectator sports, with
millions enjoying the excitement of a day at the races each year. At Great
British Racing, we want to introduce more youngsters to the thrill of the sport
and, with 50 dedicated family days across the summer, our ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign provides an unforgettable day out
in the fresh air for the whole family, without having to break the bank.”